In some birds, particularly in waterfowl, after the breeding season is over they moult their bright, colourful plumage into a dull plumage. This dull plumage is know as the eclipse plumage.
Some species remain in eclipse plumage for one to three months, where as others retain it until the next spring, when once again, they moult and return to their colourful breeding plumage.
Also see:
Plumage
Moult
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